History · X-Factor Notes

Jainism

Jainism revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.

26 revision facts

I. Tirthankaras and Mahavira's Life

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Tirthankaras	Founders of Jainism, totaling 24. They are also known as Jina (the winner). Rishabhdev (Adinath) was the first Tirthankara. Mahavira Swami was the 24th and last Tirthankara.	UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2004 UPPCS (Pre) 2021
Mahavira’s Birth & Clan	Born as Vardhaman in Kundagram near Vaishali (~599 BC). His father was Siddhartha, chief of the Gyatrik Kshatriya Sangh. His mother Trishala was the sister of Chetaka, head of the Lichchhavi Republic.	UPPCS (Spl) (Pre) 2004
Parshvanath (23rd)	Born in Kashi (Varanasi). Attained Parinirvana on Mount Sammed Shikhar. His four vows (Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Asteya, Satya) preceded Mahavira’s addition of Brahmacharya.	UPPCS (Mains) 2016 UPPCS (Pre) 2002
Enlightenment (Kaivalya)	Mahavira attained Kaivalya (Complete knowledge) under a Sal tree on the bank of the Rijupalika river.	U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017
Death (Nirvana)	Mahavira attained Nirvana at Pavapuri in 527 BC, at the age of approximately 72 years.
Pilgrim Spot in UP	Prabhasgiri is a pilgrim spot of the Jains.	UPPCS (Spl) (Pre) 2008

II. Doctrines and Philosophical Principles

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Triratna (Three Jewels)	Consists of Right Belief, Right Knowledge, and Right Action (Conduct). These are necessary means for attaining Moksha.
Core Principle	The basic point of Jainism is absolute Non-violence (Ahimsa). Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigraha are cardinal principles.	UPPCS (Pre) 1993
Syadvad / Anekantavada	Syadvad (or Saptabhanginaya) means knowledge is relative. Anekantavada means multiplicity of properties; together, they form the two main doctrines of Jain philosophy.
Vows for Householders	The concept of Anuvrata (lesser vows), derived from the Mahavratas, was advocated for Jain householders, as the Mahavratas are difficult for them to practice.
World View	Jain philosophy holds that the Universe and all its substances are eternal, rejecting the concept of the 'final annihilation of the world'.	UPPCS (Mains) 2014
Karma and Salvation	Jainism believes that every object/particle has a soul. Karma is seen as subtle matter infiltrating the soul. The surest way of annihilating karma is to practice penance.

III. Texts, Councils, and Sects

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Earliest Literature	The oldest Jain scripture is the Fourteen Purvas, preached by all Tirthankaras.	N/A (Question was BPSC)
Language of Texts	The initial religious Jain literature, particularly the Twelve Angas, was compiled in the Ardha-Magadhi language.	UPPCS (Mains) 2006
Jain Literature Name	Collectively known as 'Aagam' (Principle), composed of 12 Angas, 12 Upanga, etc..	N/A
First Jain Council	Held at Pataliputra (~310 BC). It was presided over by Sthulbhadra. The Shvetambara Agama (12 Angas) was edited/compiled here. Bhadrabahu's followers (Digambars) did not participate.	UPPCS (Mains) 2008 UPPCS (Mains) 2008
Second Jain Council	Held at Vallabhi in the 6th century (512 AD).
Sects	Shwetambars (wore white clothes, stayed in North) versus Digambars (sky-clad/unclad, migrated South with Bhadrabahu).	N/A

IV. Patronage and Allied Sects

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Royal Patronage	Kharavela, the Chedi ruler of Kalinga, was a great patron of Jainism. His Hathigumpha inscription mentions his donations to Jain monks.	U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014 UPPCS (Mains) 2015
Medieval Scholar	Hemchandra Suri was a great scholar and follower of Jainism who was prominent in the Solanki royal court.	UPPCS (Mains) 2009
Khajuraho Temples	These temples are related to both Hindu religion and Jainism.
Ajivika Sect Founder	Founded by Makkhali Gosala.	UPPCS (Pre) 1996
Ajivika Doctrine	Belief is known as 'Niyatiwad', meaning every matter in the world is controlled by destiny (fate). They rendered that "Fate assigns everything, human is incapable".	UPPCS (Pre) 2006 U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017
Kaushambi	Mentioned in Jain literature. It is a famous pilgrimage site for Jains and Buddhists.	U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010

V. Jainism vs. Buddhism (Commonalities and Differences)

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Common Traits	Both were indifferent to the authority of the Vedas and denied the efficiency of rituals. Both followed the path of Ahimsa.
Key Difference	Self-mortification (practicing extreme penance) is characteristic of Jainism, while Buddhism rejected this practice in favor of the middle path (avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment).

I. Tirthankaras and Mahavira's Life

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Tirthankaras	Founders of Jainism, totaling 24. They are also known as Jina (the winner). Rishabhdev (Adinath) was the first Tirthankara. Mahavira Swami was the 24th and last Tirthankara.	UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2004 UPPCS (Pre) 2021
Mahavira’s Birth & Clan	Born as Vardhaman in Kundagram near Vaishali (~599 BC). His father was Siddhartha, chief of the Gyatrik Kshatriya Sangh. His mother Trishala was the sister of Chetaka, head of the Lichchhavi Republic.	UPPCS (Spl) (Pre) 2004
Parshvanath (23rd)	Born in Kashi (Varanasi). Attained Parinirvana on Mount Sammed Shikhar. His four vows (Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Asteya, Satya) preceded Mahavira’s addition of Brahmacharya.	UPPCS (Mains) 2016 UPPCS (Pre) 2002
Enlightenment (Kaivalya)	Mahavira attained Kaivalya (Complete knowledge) under a Sal tree on the bank of the Rijupalika river.	U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017
Death (Nirvana)	Mahavira attained Nirvana at Pavapuri in 527 BC, at the age of approximately 72 years.
Pilgrim Spot in UP	Prabhasgiri is a pilgrim spot of the Jains.	UPPCS (Spl) (Pre) 2008

II. Doctrines and Philosophical Principles

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Triratna (Three Jewels)	Consists of Right Belief, Right Knowledge, and Right Action (Conduct). These are necessary means for attaining Moksha.
Core Principle	The basic point of Jainism is absolute Non-violence (Ahimsa). Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigraha are cardinal principles.	UPPCS (Pre) 1993
Syadvad / Anekantavada	Syadvad (or Saptabhanginaya) means knowledge is relative. Anekantavada means multiplicity of properties; together, they form the two main doctrines of Jain philosophy.
Vows for Householders	The concept of Anuvrata (lesser vows), derived from the Mahavratas, was advocated for Jain householders, as the Mahavratas are difficult for them to practice.
World View	Jain philosophy holds that the Universe and all its substances are eternal, rejecting the concept of the 'final annihilation of the world'.	UPPCS (Mains) 2014
Karma and Salvation	Jainism believes that every object/particle has a soul. Karma is seen as subtle matter infiltrating the soul. The surest way of annihilating karma is to practice penance.

III. Texts, Councils, and Sects

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Earliest Literature	The oldest Jain scripture is the Fourteen Purvas, preached by all Tirthankaras.	N/A (Question was BPSC)
Language of Texts	The initial religious Jain literature, particularly the Twelve Angas, was compiled in the Ardha-Magadhi language.	UPPCS (Mains) 2006
Jain Literature Name	Collectively known as 'Aagam' (Principle), composed of 12 Angas, 12 Upanga, etc..	N/A
First Jain Council	Held at Pataliputra (~310 BC). It was presided over by Sthulbhadra. The Shvetambara Agama (12 Angas) was edited/compiled here. Bhadrabahu's followers (Digambars) did not participate.	UPPCS (Mains) 2008 UPPCS (Mains) 2008
Second Jain Council	Held at Vallabhi in the 6th century (512 AD).
Sects	Shwetambars (wore white clothes, stayed in North) versus Digambars (sky-clad/unclad, migrated South with Bhadrabahu).	N/A

IV. Patronage and Allied Sects

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Royal Patronage	Kharavela, the Chedi ruler of Kalinga, was a great patron of Jainism. His Hathigumpha inscription mentions his donations to Jain monks.	U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014 UPPCS (Mains) 2015
Medieval Scholar	Hemchandra Suri was a great scholar and follower of Jainism who was prominent in the Solanki royal court.	UPPCS (Mains) 2009
Khajuraho Temples	These temples are related to both Hindu religion and Jainism.
Ajivika Sect Founder	Founded by Makkhali Gosala.	UPPCS (Pre) 1996
Ajivika Doctrine	Belief is known as 'Niyatiwad', meaning every matter in the world is controlled by destiny (fate). They rendered that "Fate assigns everything, human is incapable".	UPPCS (Pre) 2006 U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017
Kaushambi	Mentioned in Jain literature. It is a famous pilgrimage site for Jains and Buddhists.	U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010

V. Jainism vs. Buddhism (Commonalities and Differences)

Concept	What to remember	Asked in UPPCS
Common Traits	Both were indifferent to the authority of the Vedas and denied the efficiency of rituals. Both followed the path of Ahimsa.
Key Difference	Self-mortification (practicing extreme penance) is characteristic of Jainism, while Buddhism rejected this practice in favor of the middle path (avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment).